Massafra (Greek: Messaphros) is a town and comune in the province of Taranto in the Apulia region of southeast Italy.
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Massafra
Griko: Messaphros | |
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Comune | |
Città di Massafra | |
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![]() Coat of arms | |
Location of Massafra ![]() | |
![]() ![]() Massafra Location of Massafra in Italy Show map of Italy![]() ![]() Massafra Massafra (Apulia) Show map of Apulia | |
Coordinates: 40°35′N 17°7′E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Apulia |
Province | Taranto (TA) |
Frazioni | Cernera, Chiatona, Citignano, Marina di Ferrara |
Government | |
• Mayor | Fabrizio Quarto |
Area | |
• Total | 125 km2 (48 sq mi) |
Elevation | 110 m (360 ft) |
Population (31 October 2017)[2] | |
• Total | 32,872 |
• Density | 260/km2 (680/sq mi) |
Demonym(s) | Massafresi |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 74016 |
Dialing code | 099 |
Website | Official website |
According to some hypotheses,[3] Massafra was founded in the 5th century by refugees from the Roman province of Africa, invaded by the Vandals. The first historical mention of the city dates however from the 10th century, when it was a Lombard gastaldate.
After the Norman conquest of southern Italy, it was given to a nephew of Robert Guiscard, who fortified it and restored the castle. Later it was part of the Principality of Taranto, to which, as a free town, it belonged until 1463. In 1484 it was assigned to Antonio Piscitello. In 1497 it was sacked by the troops of Charles VIII of France, and the fief went to Artusio Pappacoda, whose family held it for a century and a half. They were succeeded by the Carmignano and the Imperiale.
Apulia · Comuni of the Province of Taranto | |
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